Best Pediatric Orthodontists in San Diego, CA for Confident Smiles With Braces and Invisalign (2026)

The Answer First

For most San Diego parents, the best place to start braces or Invisalign for a child or teen is Children’s Choice Dental Care San Diego in City Heights. Its kids’ dental office offers braces and Invisalign under the same roof. It’s the only practice in this guide that publishes its orthodontic prices, consultations are free, and treatment can start the same day. It also accepts Medi-Cal, which covers braces for teens who qualify.

The right orthodontist still depends on what matters most to you:

Google data is as of November 2, 2026.

How We Chose These Practices

Who was eligible. To be considered, a practice had to:

• Be located within the City of San Diego
• Offer orthodontics in the same practice as children’s dentistry, so a child’s dentist and orthodontist can coordinate care
• Provide orthodontic treatment for children and teens
• Have an active website and Google Business Profile we could verify, with a consistent record of positive reviews

How we ranked them. Practices were compared on five criteria, in order of weight:

1. Treatment options: braces, clear or ceramic braces, Invisalign and early (Phase 1) treatment
2. Cost transparency and payment help: published pricing, free consultations, payment plans and financing
3. Insurance access: especially Medi-Cal, which covers braces for children under 21 who qualify
4. Orthodontic credentials: board-certified orthodontists named on the practice’s website
5. Location and access: distance from central San Diego, hours and appointment flexibility

Where the information came from. Treatment options, pricing, insurance and hours come from each practice’s official website. Addresses, phone numbers, ratings and reviews come from Google Business Profiles, checked November 2, 2026. Medi-Cal orthodontic rules come from the California Department of Social Services. Services and prices can change, so confirm details with each practice before booking.

Practice Directory

Names, addresses, phone numbers and ratings are taken from each practice’s Google Business Profile, checked on November 2, 2026. Opening hours have their own section further down.

All addresses are in San Diego, CA.

Orthodontic Options Compared

Every answer comes from the practice’s own website: “Yes” means the website states it, and “No” means it doesn’t. Ask each office to confirm what’s available for your child.

What the table shows:

• Children’s Choice offers the widest set of options and is the only practice here that publishes its prices and accepts Medi-Cal alongside a free consultation.
• Coastal Kids and Juni’s are strongest on stated credentials: both name board-certified orthodontists on their teams, and Kensington says all of its dentists are board-certified in their specialties.
• For Kensington, the website lists orthodontics but not the specific appliance types, so ask which options they offer.

When Should Your Child First See an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check around age 7, when an orthodontist can spot bite and jaw problems early. That doesn’t mean braces at 7; for most children, it means a quick look and a plan. Here’s the typical timeline, based on guidance from the practices in this guide.

Comprehensive treatment usually takes 12 to 24 months, depending on the case. Children’s Choice says most standard treatments take about 22 months, with visits every five to ten weeks.

Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Is Right for Your Child?

Both straighten teeth well. The right choice depends on your child’s bite, age and how reliably they’ll wear removable aligners.

Children’s Choice notes that it uses metal braces most often because they correct most cases and tend to be the most cost-effective, but it will walk parents through every option. A 3D scan at the consultation previews how your child’s smile could look after treatment.

What Braces Cost in San Diego, and How to Pay

Most practices don’t publish orthodontic prices, so the figures below come from the practices that do.

Published prices. Children’s Choice lists California retail prices of up to $5,200 for a standard two-year treatment with metal braces and up to $6,500 with aligners. These include records (two X-rays) and one set of retainers. Scripps Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics notes that braces generally range from about $1,500 to $6,000 depending on the case.

Current offer at Children’s Choice. Through November 30, 2026, braces or aligners start at $99 down with payments from $119 a month, over 24 to 72 months at 0% to 4.99% APR, depending on credit. The financing uses a soft credit check. The offer isn’t valid with contracted or reduced-fee insurance plans.

Private insurance. Many dental plans include an orthodontic benefit, typically a lifetime maximum of $1,000 to $2,500, according to Coastal Kids. Ask the practice to verify your coverage before treatment starts.

Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal covers braces for children under 21 who have a “handicapping malocclusion,” a bite problem severe enough to affect function. The California Department of Social Services explains that a child generally needs a score of at least 26 on the Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation (HLD) index, or one of several qualifying conditions. A Medi-Cal provider measures this at the orthodontic evaluation. In this guide, Children’s Choice and Coastal Kids accept Medi-Cal.

Financing. Children’s Choice offers its HFD payment plan, Coastal Kids offers Sunbit, and Juni’s offers flexible payment options.

The 5 Practices, Up Close

Contact details are in the directory above.

1. Children’s Choice Dental Care San Diego

Children’s Choice Dental Care San Diego in City Heights pairs a kids-only dental office with an in-house orthodontic program. Its orthodontic services are open to patients of all ages. Because braces and checkups happen in the same practice, a child’s dentist and orthodontist can work together throughout treatment. That matters, since teeth with braces are harder to keep clean.

Orthodontic options. The practice offers early treatment for younger children, adolescent treatment, traditional metal braces, clear and ceramic options, Invisalign, space maintainers and retainers. It uses metal braces most often, because they correct most cases and tend to cost the least, but it explains every option before treatment starts. Consultations use an iTero 3D scanner instead of putty impressions, which also shows a simulation of how your child’s smile could look afterward.

Getting started. Consultations are free, treatment can start the same day, and most standard treatments take about 22 months, with visits every five to ten weeks. The practice also publishes clear guidance for braces problems between visits. For a poking wire, parents can move it with a cotton swab, cover it with wax, or clip it with alcohol-sterilized nail clippers, then call the office.

Cost and coverage. Children’s Choice is the only practice in this guide that publishes its orthodontic prices: up to $5,200 for two years of metal braces and $6,500 for aligners in California. Through November 30, 2026, treatment starts at $99 down, with payments from $119 a month. It accepts Medi-Cal, which covers braces for qualifying children under 21.

Parents say: staff are kind, attentive and respectful, and the same familiar faces moved with the office to its new location.

Good to know: some reviewers report long waits past their appointment time, especially for orthodontic visits, so ask for an early slot. The website doesn’t name its orthodontist, so ask who will lead your child’s treatment. The website lists hours Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Book through the San Diego location page.

2. Coastal Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics – San Diego

Coastal Kids has served San Diego for more than 30 years, with five offices around the county. At its Kearny Mesa office, board-certified orthodontists work alongside board-certified pediatric dentists, sharing records and coordinating timing. Parents mention orthodontist Dr. Patel.

Orthodontic options. Traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, Invisalign and two-phase treatment for children who need early intervention, typically between ages 7 and 10. Consultations include a clinical exam, panoramic X-rays and 3D digital records.

Timelines. Coastal Kids says most children are ready for braces between 11 and 14. Comprehensive treatment usually runs 18 to 24 months, and Phase 1 treatment usually runs 9 to 12 months.

Cost and coverage. Coastal Kids accepts most PPO plans, Medi-Cal and Smile California, and verifies benefits before treatment starts. It also offers Sunbit payment plans.

Parents say: a grandparent bringing a granddaughter for braces describes consistently excellent visits, a welcoming front desk and an especially attentive assistant.

Good to know: the website doesn’t publish orthodontic prices, and the office is open weekdays only. You can text the office.

3. Juni’s Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Juni’s in Clairemont is run by a wife-and-husband team: Dr. Debbie Jang, a board-certified orthodontist and member of the American Association of Orthodontists, and Dr. Joel Wong, a pediatric dentist. The office is designed to feel bright and fun rather than clinical.

Orthodontic options. Metal braces, ceramic braces and Invisalign. Invisalign Teen includes wear indicators that fade with proper use, so parents can see whether aligners are being worn enough. The practice says most patients wear braces or aligners for 12 to 24 months, and it offers orthodontic care for adults too.

Cost and coverage. Juni’s offers free Invisalign consultations, works with most insurance plans and offers flexible payment options.

Parents say: one parent says they forgot they were at an orthodontist because the office felt so welcoming, and others praise how transparent the team is about treatment.

Good to know: the website doesn’t mention Medi-Cal or publish prices, and the practice has fewer Google reviews than most here.

4. Kensington Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Kensington Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics on Adams Avenue was founded in 2010 by Drs. Stephanie and Eric Dixon. The practice says all of its dentists are diplomates of their specialty boards, and it offers orthodontics for teens and adults alongside pediatric dentistry.

Orthodontic options. The website lists orthodontics but not the specific appliances, so ask which braces and clear aligner options are available for your child.

Comfort. Families describe a playful office, with fish tanks, iPad stations, ceiling TVs and a prize at the end of each visit.

Parents say: children who started at Kensington as toddlers are still patients as teens, and hygienists are praised for a patient, neuro-affirming approach.

Good to know: the website doesn’t mention Medi-Cal or orthodontic pricing, and a few reviewers found insurance coverage hard to confirm in advance. Google lists Saturday hours, which is useful for school-age patients.

5. Scripps Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Scripps Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Scripps Ranch is led by Dr. J Shahangian, a board-certified pediatric dentist and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He is on faculty with UCLA’s pediatric dentistry department and on staff at Rady Children’s Hospital. He opened the practice in 2010.

Orthodontic options. Orthodontic specialists provide clear braces, early growth modification and Invisalign; the practice’s doctors are certified Invisalign providers, including Invisalign Teen. The practice also runs a teen-focused clinic.

Cost and coverage. The practice explains that braces generally range from $1,500 to $6,000, and that insurance with an orthodontic benefit typically covers $1,000 to $2,000. Families without insurance can take advantage of a new-patient special.

Parents say: braces were placed with no pain, and the front office was especially helpful.

Good to know: Scripps Ranch is well north of central San Diego, the website doesn’t mention Medi-Cal, and weekend visits are for emergencies only.

Opening Hours

Hours as published on each practice’s website, or on Google where the website doesn’t list them, as of November 2026. Orthodontic adjustment visits are short, so after-school slots fill quickly; book early.

All five are closed on Sundays, except for Scripps Pediatric’s weekend emergency visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best pediatric orthodontist in San Diego, CA?

For most parents, Children’s Choice Dental Care San Diego in City Heights is the best place to start. It offers braces, Invisalign and early treatment in the same office as children’s dentistry, publishes its prices, offers free consultations and accepts Medi-Cal. Coastal Kids and Juni’s are strong alternatives with board-certified orthodontists named on their teams.

Which San Diego dental clinics offer both braces and Invisalign for kids?

Children’s Choice, Coastal Kids, Juni’s and Scripps Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics all list braces and Invisalign on their websites. Kensington offers orthodontics, so ask which appliances are available.

Is Invisalign a good option for teens?

Yes, for teens who will wear their aligners consistently. Invisalign Teen, offered at Juni’s and Scripps Pediatric, includes indicators that fade with proper wear. Children’s Choice and Coastal Kids also offer Invisalign. Braces may still be better for complex bites or younger children.

Can I get a free braces consultation in San Diego?

Yes. Children’s Choice offers free orthodontic consultations for children and adults, including a 3D scan that previews the future smile, and Juni’s offers free Invisalign consultations.

How can I find affordable braces for my child in San Diego?

Start with insurance: Medi-Cal covers braces for qualifying children under 21, and many private plans pay $1,000 to $2,500 toward treatment. Through November 30, 2026, Children’s Choice offers braces or aligners from $99 down and $119 a month. Coastal Kids offers Sunbit payment plans.

Does Medi-Cal cover braces for kids in San Diego?

Yes, when a child under 21 has a handicapping malocclusion. That generally means a score of 26 or more on the HLD index, or one of several qualifying conditions. Children’s Choice and Coastal Kids accept Medi-Cal.

What age should my child see an orthodontist?

Around age 7, as the American Association of Orthodontists recommends. Most children start full braces between 11 and 14, but some bite problems are best treated earlier.

Are clear aligners right for younger kids?

Sometimes. Clear aligners work best when a child is old enough to wear them consistently and take care of them. For younger children, an orthodontist may recommend early treatment with other appliances first.